I have to confess that I’m a little bit in love with both Danny Katz and Mitch Vane. I don’t love them so much I want to marry them (they’re married to each other, I think!), but I’d come close.
Over the past decades Mrs Gonsha’s bum (of Little Lunch: The Slide fame!), has held legendary status in our household. It’s up there with the best Christmas pannetone and cute baby pandas. Spoken of in hushed tones with just a little admiration and awe, the power of her polka-dotted, sizeable posterior is something that cannot be unseen. In a good way.
The Slide contains three short stories. From Mrs Gonsha’s escapades on the playground slide (requiring the assistance of her whole class), to an interesting possum in the sandpit and shenanigans outside the principal’s office, these cheeky and smile-inducing tales are unforgettable, visceral and thoroughly entertaining. Even when they make you squirm.
Somehow, the Little Lunch series manages to show children at their best and worst simultaneously. These books are perhaps ahead of their time in offering up strategies for building resilience, dealing with anxiety, sharing and being kind – without ever mentioning those words!
These new
editions contain bonus stuff including puzzles, quizzes, jokes, activities and
all manner of skulduggery. And Little Lunch is now also a television
series to boot!
Highly recommended (except for the squeamish). Check out some of Elizabeth's reviews of the other brilliant Little Lunch titles.
Title: Little Lunch: The SlideAuthor: Danny Katz
Illustrator: Mitch Vane
Publisher: Walker Books, $14.99
Publication Date: January 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760656775
For ages: 8 - 10
Type: Junior Fiction
